Pottery. Photography. And All Things Handmade.
I participated in my first Creativity Challenge in my photo class where I was to apply what I have learned. We were to choose one simple every day object and take five different shots to tell a story. I chose a pencil . . . . * * *
I'm a list maker and note taker. I make lists of things "To Do" otherwise things will not get done such as exercise, make doctor's appointment, and laundry. I also make "To Do" lists for pottery such as prepare test tiles, reclaim clay, make handles and buy more clay. I make lists for items I need... Continue Reading →
Okay. So, I have not blogged in about one month and what happens? Word Press greets me with a message: "Welcome to the wonderful world of blocks". What is with the word press blocks?Is it supposed to be easier?Well, I'm not finding these blocks easier.In fact, the word press blocks are blocking my thoughts. When I get... Continue Reading →
It may seem as if I am hibernating after the holidays. Goodness knows, I certainly feel as if I could! January and February are quickly becoming my favorite months of the year; a respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. A time to relax and rejuvenate - change of pace. It may look... Continue Reading →
Over the past few months the need for a shallow cat dish became apparent. Miss Kitty,17 years young, refused to eat out of her regular cat bowl. I thought it was her food but learned it was her food dish. She developed whisker stress. Whiskers are extremely sensitive, and when a food bowl is too... Continue Reading →
It was a crisp November day. I loaded the kiln for the last time of the 2017 throwing season. Flipped the switch on the kiln expecting the glaze firing to take 10 to 12 hours. When 10 hours passed, I suspected something was wrong. The results of the longest glaze firing ever . . .... Continue Reading →
Not much pottery today but a lot of neglected behind the scene stuff. I spent the better part of today at the computer thinking of words. Words. Words describing my pottery in my Etsy shop. I use words every day yet when I try to write, words are elusive. This is why I am not a... Continue Reading →
Yes, there are time differences between countries, states and cities, but I've noticed time differences affect photography. The outside light changes through the day. You may not notice the vast difference in light as the day proceeds, but through a camera lens that light difference is magnified! Pictured below is one of my newest stoneware... Continue Reading →
I unloaded the kiln and minutes later my nesting bowls shattered right in my hand! Oh, this is so painful but I’m LEARNING! 😀 It seems I am having trouble with slabs. Slab work is not as easy as it looks, apparently! After some investigation on the interwebtubes, I am thinking I made my... Continue Reading →
I made another box but with feet! When I made the first one, I intened it to be a planter but it didn't have drainage hole or feet to ensure airflow and drainage. Happy feet! Happy Friday!
Having a slab roller really simplifies things and conserves my energy verses a rolling pin! I was thinking about making this a succulent planter! However, I may need to rethink its design. A planter needs a pot with a drainage hole or feet to ensure better airflow. This box doesn't have either one. So, what... Continue Reading →
I have been working on nesting bowls this week. Each bowl is made from a slab of clay draped over clay molds I made last winter. It has taken me several tries to work out all the kinks in the process. The third time worked like a charm! After these air dry, they will undergo... Continue Reading →
I was happy to accept the Life in Black and White challenge. At first, I thought it would be hard but I found that taking a picture of the simplest things made the biggest impact in black and white.
Just when I was ready to throw in the towel early this month due to groggy clay , I decided to talk to the folks at my local pottery supply store to see if they could recommend a new clay body similar to what I had been using for over ten years. I am SO happy... Continue Reading →
Work. What is work? What does it mean? Save Save
Though the calendar says it is autumn, Mother Nature says otherwise! I am thrilled by the warm dry autumn days because I can continue to throw pots on my back porch! Most recently, I have been working on plates. I have been using a certain mid-fire cone 6 clay for over 10 years and... Continue Reading →
I have been using 112 brown clay for over ten years and have never experienced the problems with grog as I have this year. The particle size of the grog seems unusually large causing a lot of damage and heartbreak. 😦 Looks like I will be looking for a new clay. Save
When given lemons . . . . . .make lemonade! Save
This year's throwing season seems to be going well! Very minimal mistakes plus,thanks to learning about an alternative way to take large pots off the bat, I have been able to throw larger pieces: plates, serving bowls, platters and pet bowls! To date, I have thrown over 35 pieces since Memorial Day! 😀 Unfortunately, I'm... Continue Reading →
One reoccurring problem I have had was making large pet dishes (7+ inches or larger in diameter). In almost every single instance, I would ruin the pet dish when taking it off the bat. I had some extra time over the winter to research alternative ways of taking large pots off of the bat. I... Continue Reading →
Back Porch Studio 